The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Dr. Dan Wuori discusses the critical aspects of early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of play as a learning tool, the misconceptions surrounding school readiness, and the impact of policy on early childhood education. He highlights the challenges faced by the childcare workforce, including compensation issues and high turnover rates, while als...

Send us Fan Mail Are your staff on the same page — or just nodding along? In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , Erica Saccoccio dives into one of the most powerful yet underused leadership skills: listening to understand . Learn how listening — not just hearing — can:  ✅ Demonstrate that you value your team  ✅ Build trust and influence  ✅ Encourage collaboration and alignment  ✅...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica speaks with Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing, about the challenges and innovations in staffing for preschools. Paul shares his journey from being a preschool teacher to leading a staffing solution that addresses the disconnect between educators and centers. The conversation explores the importance of flex...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica interviews Addy Caron, a 16-year-old aspiring educator attending the AEYC conference in Maine. Addy shares her passion for early childhood education, inspired by her experiences working with children at a summer camp. She discusses the challenges and rewards of helping underprivileged kids and emphasizes the imp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica speaks with Jane Banish, an expert in early childhood education, about the importance of integrating science into preschool curricula. Jane shares her journey from environmental education to teaching, emphasizing hands-on learning and exploration. She discusses various materials that can enhance math and science...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica interviews Desiree, the owner of Teachers House Child Care. They discuss the importance of community in childcare, the journey of starting a family daycare, and the challenges and rewards of working in early childhood education. Desiree shares her experiences, insights on burnout, and the significance of fosteri...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica speaks with parent advocate April Tardiff about her journey into advocacy for parents with young children. April shares her experiences navigating the challenges of childcare access, the importance of empowering parents, and the need for better support systems within early education. The conversation highl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Podcast, Erica speaks with Dr. Cheryl Hovey from Fisher College about the various programs offered for early childhood professionals. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in education, the significance of building a professional network, and the value of pursuing higher education in the field. Cheryl shares insights on sc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica speaks with Connor Archer, founder of the Courageous Steps Project, about innovative approaches to early childhood education. They discuss the importance of inclusive education, community support, and collaboration among educators and families. Connor shares his personal journey and the impact of early education...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, host Erica sits down with Kate Glennon, an outdoor speech and language pathologist, to explore innovative ways to enhance communication and connection in early childhood education. Discover how taking therapy outdoors can break down communication barriers and foster a deeper connection with nature. Kate shares her journey f...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Erica speaks with David and Robin from Rooted Development about the challenges and strategies in early childhood education leadership. They discuss the importance of effective leadership, self-care, and reflection, as well as the need for strong communication and problem-solving skills. The conversation also highlights the balance between the business and hea...

Send us Fan Mail Join Erica from the Child Care Director Chair podcast as she wraps up day one at the Maine AEYC Conference with a delightful interview featuring Abby, a senior from Lake Region Vocational Center. Abby shares her passion for early childhood education, the joys and challenges of working with children, and offers insightful advice for those considering the field. Discover the highlig...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica speaks with Autumn Niles, a high school junior who works with preschool children. They discuss the importance of early childhood education, the rewards and challenges of working with children, and the significance of effective communication in childcare settings. Autumn shares her passion for helping children, e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica speaks with Courtney from Winter Kids about their mission to provide outdoor learning and recreation programs for children in Maine. They discuss the importance of keeping kids active, the benefits of outdoor learning, and the impact of their programs on children's mental health and development. Courtney shares...

Send us Fan Mail This conversation explores the journey and insights of a childcare director and educator, focusing on the importance of early childhood education, the impact of media on infant development, and the vital role educators play in shaping young minds. The discussion emphasizes the need for mindful media exposure and the profound influence of quality education in the early years. Suppo...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we sit down with Charles Best from Lakeshore, where he shares the company’s unwavering commitment to early childhood education and the creation of innovative, hands-on learning materials. Charles highlights how educators play a vital role in shaping Lakeshore’s products and how the company continues to support early childhood leaders, even in challenging times. H...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica Saccocio speaks with Kamesha, an experienced educator in early childhood education. They discuss Kamesha's journey in the field, the importance of mental health for both children and educators, and the challenges faced in supporting children with emotional and behavioral needs. Kamesha shares strategies for...

Send us Fan Mail Join Erica at the AEYC conference in New Jersey as she chats with Ruth Ball, a passionate preschool teacher, about the transformative power of early childhood education. Discover how personal experiences shape teaching philosophies, the importance of director support, and the joy of making a lasting impact on families. Tune in for inspiring stories and practical insights that high...

Send us Fan Mail Live from the NJAEYC Conference, DJ brings the laughs and the lessons! In this mini conversation, the comedian and keynote speaker shares why educators are the real gardeners of growth—nurturing, pruning, and planting seeds that last a lifetime. He doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff either—funding frustrations, burnout, and staying grounded in your purpose. Tune in for a refres...

Send us Fan Mail Are you leading your childcare team — or just managing them? In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , Erica Saccoccio dives into the key strategies that turn motivated staff into a culture of excellence. Learn how to:  ✅ Start with motivated people and create a culture of motivation  ✅ Model your own passion and check your motives  ✅ Build and maintain trust with you...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, host Erica Saccoccio dives deep into one of the most overlooked leadership skills — creating an environment where questions aren’t just tolerated, but valued. Inspired by John Maxwell’s wisdom — “Before you can make things right, make sure you see them right” — Erica challenges leaders to stop rushing for answers and start...

Send us Fan Mail 🍎 Apple Podcasts Description: You’ve built a thriving childcare career, led incredible teams, and poured your heart into your community — but now, you’re starting to feel that tug for something different. You’re not burned out… you’re just not ready for the rocking chair yet. In this inspiring episode, Erica Saccoccio explores what it looks like to step into a new season of purpo...

Send us Fan Mail What if the only thing standing between you and changing the world… is believing that you can? 🌎 In this powerful solo episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , Erica invites you to step out of doubt and into action. You’ll explore what holds so many leaders back from making a difference and discover how small, intentional steps can create a ripple effect of change — in your ce...

Send us Fan Mail What if the person who changes the world isn’t someone famous — but you ? In this inspiring episode, Erica Saccoccio explores how one person can make a lasting impact by choosing courage over comfort. She shares a powerful quote from Coach Carter , wisdom from John Maxwell, and one small action you can take today to change someone’s world. ✨ Sponsored by Jackrabbit Care — helping...

Send us Fan Mail Want to see what you’ve been missing behind the scenes of the Trailblazer Leadership Group? This exclusive community gives you access to private resources — including videos, podcasts, downloadable tools, and a weekly coaching call , plus a monthly one-on-one session with Erica to help you strengthen your leadership skills and reach your next level. 🎁 Join for FREE this month usi...